Phelps opens season on disabled list; Bauer to Cleveland

The Clippers will open the International League season in Indianapolis at 7:05 tonight in
Victory Field without infielder/outfielder Cord Phelps or top pitching prospect Trevor
Bauer.

Phelps, the IL All Star at second base in 2012 did not take batting practice on the field during
team workouts on Tuesday or Wednesday in Huntington Park. He was placed on the 7-day disabled
list with neck stiffness.

"He's day to day," Columbus managet Chris Tremie said. ""It's looking pretty good already, but
we wanted to be safe."

Bauer was penciled in as the starter for tonight's game. Veteran Joe Martinez drew the
start in his place. The parent Cleveland Indians have an opening in their starting rotation on
Saturday after placing Scott Kazmir on the 15-day disabled list with a right ribcage strain.
Bauer is going to fill that slot for Cleveland.

Columbus also pared three other pitchers from the opening day roster. All three took part
in the workouts in Huntington Park. Left-hander Eric Berger was sent to double-A Akron.

Right-handers Bryan Price and Fernando Nieve are in Indianapolis but not active tonight. Nieve
threw two innings in a simulated game on Wednesday and will take Bauer's spot in the Columbus
rotation in game four or five. Price's status is less clear right now.

Corey Kluber is scheduled to start Friday's 7:15 p.m. game for the Clippers against top
Pittsburgh prospect Gerrit Cole. Cole and Bauer were teammates at UCLA in 2009-10-11.